Half-Day Tara River Rafting in the Tara Canyon

The Tara runs for much of its length through a canyon often called the deepest in Europe, protected within Durmitor National Park. This half-day trip puts you on the river itself, paddling through white water beneath sheer walls and stopping to swim in some of the clearest water in the Balkans.

What you’ll see

From the raft the Tara Canyon rises on both sides in tiers of grey rock and dark forest. Springs and side streams spill down to the river, and between the rapids there are slow green pools where the stones on the bottom look close enough to touch. The rapids are grade II–III, lively enough to soak everyone on board, with calmer stretches where you can rest the paddle and look up. The river and its basin are also a UNESCO biosphere reserve, a measure of how little the Tara has been changed.

How it runs

A certified guide steers the raft through the rapids. The raft, paddle, helmet, wetsuit and life jacket are all provided, insurance is included, and a traditional lunch follows the run. The listing does not give a meeting point, so confirm it with the host when you enquire; transport to the put-in is not included.

• Raft, paddle, helmet, wetsuit and life jacket
• Certified guide
• Traditional lunch after the run

Who it suits

First-timers, families whose children swim well and groups of friends. With a guide steering, it suits people who have never paddled, and a booking takes up to twelve guests, which makes it an easy choice for larger parties travelling together.

Good to know

Grade II–III water generally suits first-timers, as long as you can swim and are happy getting wet. Bring swimwear and a towel, as neither is included. The river runs highest and fastest with the spring snowmelt and settles through the summer, when the swimming is easier; the water stays cold all year, which is what the wetsuit is for.